EXCLUSIVE: Jedi Council ringleader speaks out
The man whose actions sparked one of the biggest sex scandals in the Australian Army has spoken publicly for the first time, admitting he ruined lives, and apologising to his victims.
In an exclusive interview with Seven News, the ringleader of the so-called "Jedi Council" also exposes the army culture that allowed it to flourish.
Hastings Fredrickson is broke, his career is in ruins, his relationships, destroyed and so is his reputation – and he admits he deserves it.
"I take responsibility for my actions. It was deplorable behaviour. It was something that we shouldn't have done and like most things it just ratcheted up from what started off as a bit of a joke that spilled over into something it shouldn't have," said Fredrickson.
That 'something' was filming sex with a Victorian woman, then sharing images with Australian soldiers on the Army's email network along with unflattering descriptions of other women, the self-described 'Wolf of Wollomoolloo', portrayed in his 'travel diaries'.
"It may sound a bit stupid but the thoughts are with the victim first. That should be the first priority," Fredrickson continued.
The judge who handed the former Army signaller a fifteen month suspended jail sentence in February doubted he felt remorse.
Fredrickson says he does and that a personal apology to his victim was rejected.
"They yelled abuse at me and hung up on me, but I deserve everything I got with it," said Fredrickson.
Fredrickson's emails, and the responses it generated, implicated up to 90 Australian soldiers, 17 of whom were also questioned by police.
"The whole thing of the Jedi Council... we didn't sit around in big chairs and discuss things," Fredrickson explained.
"It sort of was encouraged in smaller circles and things like that, in like arms units.
"We were sort of soldiers of the 90s where that sort of behaviour was tolerated, if not applauded in some respects," said Fredickson.
The scandal prompted a furious response from Army Chief David Morrison and a push to change the army's culture.
"I'm not condoning it. I'm just saying that it was part of the culture that was involved," said Fredrickson.
"They used to call it BBDA, as in, 'Back Blast Danger Area'. In other words, if you get this, look over your shoulder, make sure noone's behind you."
Fredrickson claims his greatest regret is the toll it's taken on the six soldiers who were sacked, and on a respected lieutenant-colonel, who was sanctioned.
"Served with distinction and didn't even read the email, yet he was thrown under the bus as well as the other guys," said Fredrickson.
"Hey, I'm the bad guy, not this lieutenant-colonel, and I apologised to him straight away."
